Vehicle Safety Handbook

8/16/2019 Vehicle Safety Handbook

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A A

BB

CC’s

of Vehicle Safety

A lways Be Careful onBrethren Disaster Ministries Projects

BrethrenDisaster

Volunteers

PleaseDrive

CarefullySafety First

ALWAYS


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It’s believed that if everyone wore seat belts, the number oftraffic deaths and serious injuries would be cut in half.

Seat belts save lives and prevent injuries because they

keep you in your seat if you crash. This means:• You won’t go into the windshield, dashboard, steering

wheel, or another person.• You will take most of the impact in your shoulder and

hipbones, not delicate organs.• You are more likely to stay conscious and able to help

yourself and others.

Even if you’re not in an accident, seat belts help keep you inplace if you must suddenly swerve, brake, or accelerate.

Buckle up every time you get into a vehicle; most accidentshappen close to home – or work. No trip is too short to risknot using a safety belt!

Do it right!

Just like the other equipment you need on the job, safety belts have to be used right to work right.

Your shoulder belt should pass over your collarbone andacross the front of your chest – not behind your back or un-der your arm.

Your lap belt should be low,across the bony part of your hips.

Belts should fit snugly - if there’stoo much slack, they won’t hold you in place.

Airbags will protect you only in a head-on crash. You stillneed shoulder and lap belts for full protection. You might beknocked out of position by an impact from the side.


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Drive smart – Drive safe

Be a defensive driver.Be constantly alert for traffic, road and weather conditionsthat could be hazardous. Think ahead to what could happen. And always keep your mind on your driving and your eyes onthe road – whenever you’re driving.

Here are some sensible driving rules.• Stay at least three seconds behind the driver in front –

more in bad weather or at night.• Pass on the left, but only where it’s permitted and where

you can see enough clear space to pass comfortably.• Be especially alert in heavy traffic – for sudden stops, cars

passing or moving in and out of lanes, debris, construc-tion, or potholes.

• Constantly check rearview and side mirrors for approach-ing traffic.

• Come to a full stop at STOP signs and obey all othertraffic signs and signals.• Obey the speed limit and other rules of the road. (BDM

vehicles must not be operated at speeds in excessof 65 m.p.h.)

• Yield the right-of-way.• Use windshield wipers, lights, and defroster in rain and

snow.• Turn on headlights as soon as it starts to get dark.• Always expect the other driver to do the unexpected.• Do not use cruise control on wet roads (using cruise con-

trol on wet roads can increase the risk of hydroplaningand wrecking)

• Cell phones may not be used by drivers when op-erating BDM vehicles.

• Drivers of BDM vehicles must be 21 years of ageor older and possess a valid driver’s license.


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Don’t overload vehicles with goods or people!

Every vehicle is rated for load capacity. Overloading a vehi-cle can greatly increase the risk of an accident – even if you’re just traveling a short distance on a job site.

Overloaded vehicles can not stop as quickly as needed andtires may overheat and blow out.

Vehicles should not be packed so full that the driver’s rear

and side vision is blocked. And too many people in a vehiclemeans some of them won’t have seat belts available.

On the job site or on the road – don’t overload!

Towing Safety

• Check all trailer lights and turn signals to be sure thatthey are working properly.

• Be sure all tires are in good condition and properly in-flated.

• Be certain the proper ball and hitch are used for thetrailer. (most BDM trailers require a 10,000 lb. hitch witha 2-5/16” Ball) (contact the BDM offices if you are un-sure)

• Connect, test and adjust the electric brake controllerproperly even for short trips.

• Adjust mirrors to properly accommodate your trailer andavoid blind spots.

• Always connect the trailer safety chains even when travel-ing short distances

• Drive at slower speeds when towing.


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Maintain your vehicle for safetyFollow Brethren Disaster Ministries’ inspection rules care-fully, and keep each vehicle’s maintenance schedule/recordup-to-date (white ring binder in glove compartment).

Here are some things to look for each time a Breth-ren Disaster Ministries vehicle is used:• Are tires in good condition and is the air pressure

correct?• Are lights and signals clean and working?• Are oil and antifreeze/coolant at

proper levels?• Do any belts or wires look frayed?• Do shock absorbers show any signs of

leaks?• Is the braking system in top working

order?

Drinking or drugs + Driving = Accidents .

Alcohol and other drugs(even many cold remedies or prescription medicines) can:

• Slow your reaction time• Blur your vision• Reduce your ability to determine distance• Impair your judgment – especially about how well you’re

driving

Drinking and illicit drugs are always prohibited atBrethren Disaster Ministries' projects. Even if you’renot at a BDM project, make it a rule never to drink or takeany kind of drug (even legal ones) if you’re going to drive.

If you take a cold remedy or prescription drug, check the label to find out if it will affect your driving ability. If there’sno label information, ask your doctor or pharmacist aboutpossible effects.


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Don’t take chances behind the wheel!You’re in the driver’s seat.

Brethren Disaster Ministries provides you with good equip-ment and sensible safety rules. But they can only prevent

accidents if you use them.

(If you are in an accident; call the police immediately and fill outthe motor vehicle accident report found in the white ring binder of

each BDM vehicle.)

Take your motor vehicle safety responsibilities seri-ously. Your life is on the line.

Drive and Ride Safely

• Follow all Brethren Disaster Ministries' vehicle policies• Abide by all state and federal regulations.• Always buckle your safety belt in a moving vehicle.• Obey traffic and motor vehicle laws, signs, and signals.• Practice defensive driving.• Be an alert driver.• Never drink or take drugs and drive.• Be a safe and courteous passenger; let the driver concen-

trate on driving.


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Test Your Vehicle Safety Knowledge

Q UIZ Directions: Circle T if the statement is true or F ifthe statement is false.

1. T F Motor vehicle accidents are the largest single cause ofaccidental deaths both on and off the job.

2. T F If everyone wore seat belts the number of trafficdeaths and serious injuries could be cut in half.

3. T F Seat belts do not need to be worn by all occupants inBDM vehicles.

4. T F If your vehicle is equipped with an airbag, you do notneed to wear a safety belt.

5. T F You should stay at least three seconds behind thedriver in front – more in bad weather.

6. T F Overloaded vehicles may not be able to stop as quicklyas needed, and its tires may overheat and blow out.

7. T F BDM vehicles must not be operated at speeds in excessof 65 m.p.h.

8. T F It’s OK to take medicine before driving if it’s been pre-scribed by a doctor.

9. T F Cell phones may not be used by drivers when operat-ing BDM vehicles.

10. T F Drivers of BDM vehicles must be 21 years of age orolder and possess a valid driver’s license.

Name: _______________________

Signature: ___________________ Date: _________

For the correct answers, turn this page upside down.

1 . T 2 . T 3 . F 4 . F 5 . T 6 . T 7 . T 8 . F 9 . T 1 0 . T

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Documents

Vehicle Safety Handbook